Microscope lab

In this lab I learned how to use a microscope and then do a test on it so me and my friends chose our own cell and we would focus on it after that we took a test.

Some cool pictures 

On the left is moss. In the middle is asparagus. On the right is a frog egg.

PKU (Phenylketonuria)

1. What enzyme is most commonly defective in people with phenylketonuria?

The enzyme that is the most commonly defective in people with phenylketonuria is enzyme Phenylalanine Hydroxylase.

2. What reaction does this enzyme catalyze? (What is the substrate and what product is produced?)

It causes mental retardation because it changes cells inside the brain.

3. Describe the symptoms of phenylketonuria.

lighter hair and skin a smaller than normal head and the skin has a musty odor.

4. What causes the symptoms of PKU, the lack of a substance or the buildup of one? Explain. 

The causes of the symptoms is that it causes the enzyme to not work properly by mutating the gene.

5. How common is phenylketonuria? How is it treated? 

1 in 10,000 births in caucasians and east asians, 1 in 2,600 in turks, 1 in 4,500 in irish, 1 in 143,000 in japanese, and it is exceedingly rare in africans.

The way PKU is treated is by having a low protein diet as soon as the disorder is diagnosed and stay on that diet as long as possible.

Cited Sources: http://www.ygyh.org
http://www.nspku.org

Pick Your Poison: Ricin

1.) Where is this substance found or produced? It is found in a castor bean 

2.) What kind of substance is it? Powder

3.) What are the specific molecules that it acts upon? It acts upon the cytosol and can inactivate over 1,500 ribosomes per minute and kill the cell.

4.) What are the symptoms of exposure to this substance? 

By ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, low blood pressure, seizures, and liver. 

By inhalation causes difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea, heavy sweating, fluid in lungs and low blood pressure.

5.) How is exposure to this substance treated? If ricin gets on you get rid of your clothes and wash yourself by using large amount of soap and water. Then put away your clothes in a bag using a tong or any other tool then seal it into another bag and the local or state health department will take care if the rest.

Cited sources:  http://www.medicinenet.com/ricin/article.htm
http://poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu/toxicagents/ricin.html